Littrell has released her new video for the track titled ‘Cycle’. Wow. Just wow. Okay, how’s that for a start? What I mean is that Littrell has that one thing that so many try to achieve and so few ever realize. She has an original style that simply cannot be touched. That certain something that is always just out of reach. Her music is the type that could play in the background and still influence you. Dark and melodic. Moody and beautiful. A weathered muse, so to say.
With ‘Cycle’, the divide between audio and visual mix and blend in a creative marriage that beholds a story ambiguous enough to relate to yet vivid enough to captivate. This is the heart of what all art should be. Inspiring. Delicate on the surface yet solid at the core. There is a style and artistry about ‘Cycle’ that stays with you long after that first listen. Inspiration now has a theme.
Check out our other features with Littrell HERE.
About ‘Cycle’
Littrell is rapidly gaining recognition for their hauntingly cinematic, genre-defying sound, which merges dark pop, alt rock, and trip-hop influences into an immersive sonic landscape. Critics have praised the band for their emotionally complex music and seamless fusion of styles, with AudioFuzz calling their synergy “both gritty and magical” and Imperfect Fifth describing their music as “a visceral genre-blurring masterstroke.” Their ability to craft intricate, emotionally charged soundscapes has earned them accolades from outlets like Jammerzine, which notes, “this is where the indie scene should be heading,” and RocDaFuqOut, which hails Littrell as “a force to be reckoned with.”
This growing recognition is also reflected in the band’s widespread support across North American college radio. Tracks from Public Love are in rotation on core stations such as KSYM in San Antonio, TX, WXAV in Chicago, IL (debuting at #18), and M3 Radio in Brooklyn, NY. The album has also found a home on stations like KBGA in Missoula, MT (#10 on Top 30), Radio 3hive in Provo, UT, and WSUM in Madison, WI, among many others, building a strong presence on indie and alternative radio across the country.
A prime example of the band’s ability to push boundaries, both musically and thematically, is the song Cycle. Written and co-produced by Lindsay Littrell, the track explores the addictive nature of toxic relationships and the cyclical patterns of abuse. “Seeing the pattern is the first step in breaking it,” Lindsay reflects.
Rooted in a commitment to social and political transformation, Cycle isn’t just a personal reflection— it’s a call to action. “From our relationships to our systems, we need to recognize the cycle and all the roles we play in it in order to begin to unravel it and build something new,” Lindsay explains. “Cycle is part of a larger narrative we’re telling across Public Love.” They continue, “It’s about embracing the beautiful, complicated mess of relationships that lead us toward deeper, more authentic connections. We hope to create something that resonates on a personal level while contributing to broader collective healing.”
The Cycle music video continues Littrell’s tradition of visually striking storytelling that complements their sonically rich music. Conceptualized by Lindsay and director Christian Barreno, the video was shot over three intense days in Irvington, Indianapolis. Cycle, along with the previous visuals for Shark Week, Dirty, and Streams, is part of the slow-burn rollout of their visual album. Lindsay produced all of the videos and trailers, and serves as the creative director for this world Littrell is building.
Directed, shot, and edited by Barreno, the Cycle video is a visually powerful extension of the song’s emotional weight. Lindsay’s emotive dancing throughout the video adds an expressive layer, translating the tension between being trapped in a toxic cycle and the yearning to break free. As Imperfect Fifth aptly puts it, Littrell’s approach is “a visceral genre-blurring masterstroke,” with Lindsay’s movement playing an integral role in the emotional storytelling.
The visual album also features Marcus Ellison Jr., a Los Angeles-based actor who plays Lindsay’s romantic counterpart in Shark Week, Dirty, and now Cycle. Their on-screen chemistry enhances the emotional intensity of the video, reflecting the turbulent dynamics explored in the band’s music. The song Cycle, like the rest of Public Love, was recorded at Littrell bandmate Garrett Langebartels’ Naptime Recordings studio in Indianapolis. Garrett’s co-production, engineering, and multi-instrumental contributions were pivotal in shaping the lush, atmospheric sound, co-building the sonic frame for the raw emotional depth of the music. Melissa Mattey mixed and mastered Cycle in Nashville, TN, adding the final polish to the track’s atmospheric production.
From songwriting and recording to filmmaking and live performance, every aspect of Littrell’s work reflects their dedication to independent creative expression. “We didn’t wait for anyone to give us the green light,” Lindsay explains. “The stories we’re telling felt too urgent to sit on. While we’re open to industry support, we refused to wait for permission. We took matters into our own hands, did it ourselves, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Cycle is the latest music video from Littrell’s debut album Public Love, which also includes fan favorites like “Streams,” “Dirty,” “Wind Be With You,” and “Shark Week.” The album has earned praise for its cinematic approach, blending dark pop, alt rock, and trip-hop influences with powerful storytelling. WithGuitars calls Littrell “gutsy, gifted, and showing an intense commitment to authentic expression,” while The Urban Juice highlights their ability to blend diverse genres into a cohesive sound, setting them apart in the contemporary music scene.
“This video, and all of Public Love, comes straight from our guts,” Lindsay says. “This album and its visuals are a reflection of our struggles, our triumphs, and our longings. We’ve held nothing back, and we hope it connects with people on a deep level—helping us all connect more authentically with ourselves and each other.”
About Littrell
Littrell is a dark pop/alt rock/trip-hop duo based in Indianapolis, made up of core members Lindsay Littrell (they/them) and Garrett Langebartels (he/him). Together, they’ve found something both gritty and magical in the way their creative personalities intertwine. As a unit, Lindsay and Garrett are deep and inventive—connecting in all the right places and complementing each other in the others. What flows from this musical partnership is an often-hypnotic world that pulls listeners in, making them want to stay.
Littrell’s music blends powerful storytelling with genre-defying production, creating an immersive sonic landscape that is uniquely their own. Their debut album Public Love has earned widespread praise for its bold sound and introspective lyrics, pushing boundaries both musically and thematically. With influences ranging from MeShell Ndegeocello to Radiohead, Littrell weaves an evocative narrative across their songs and visuals, cementing themselves as a truly independent force in the indie music scene.
LINKS:
https://www.thisislittrell.com/
https://instagram.com/thebandlittrell
https://www.patreon.com/thisislittrell
https://www.tiktok.com/thisislittrell
